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Aggression, impulsivity and inflammatory markers as risk factors for suicidal behavior
William Coryell1, Holly Wilcox2, Simon J Evans3
1University of Iowa, USA.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|September 28, 2018
Summary
Suicide attempts in major depressive episodes are linked to aggression, impulsivity, and lower levels of the inflammatory marker IL-1β. These factors appear to additively increase suicide risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammatory markers are associated with suicidal behavior.
- Aggression and impulsivity are risk factors for suicidal behavior.
- Inflammatory markers may correlate with aggression and impulsivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if inflammatory markers mediate the relationship between aggression/impulsivity and suicidal behavior.
- To compare inflammatory markers, aggression, and impulsivity in suicide attempters versus non-attempters.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of patients with major depressive episodes and history of suicide attempts (n=79) or no history (n=123).
- Comparison of five inflammatory marker levels between groups.
- Assessment of aggression and impulsivity measures.
Main Results:
- Cytokine levels did not mediate the relationship between aggression and suicide attempts.
- Suicide attempters exhibited higher aggression and impulsivity scores.
- Lower levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) distinguished suicide attempters.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive behavior, impulsivity, and low IL-1β are risk factors for suicide attempts in major depressive episodes.
- These risk factors appear to have additive effects.
- Further research into the role of IL-1β in suicidal behavior is warranted.
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